The oft-maligned Biebs is in the midst of mini-renaissance, having recrafted his public image after a slew of PR disasters and spawned two chart-topping hits in "Where Are U Now" and "What Do You Mean."

The Complex cover depicts him shackled in chains underwater, looking like he's about to drown in the negative media onslaught, but really he's about to pull a Houdini and make his improbable escape. That is the thrust of the accompanying cover store -- read it here.

A shackled Justin Bieber struggles underwater on the Oct/Nov cover of Complex magazine.

The oft-maligned Biebs is in the midst of mini-renaissance, having recrafted his public image after a slew of PR disasters and spawned two chart-topping hits in "Where Are U Now" and "What Do You Mean."

The Complex cover depicts him shackled in chains underwater, looking like he's about to drown in the negative media onslaught, but really he's about to pull a Houdini and make his improbable escape. That is the thrust of the accompanying cover store -- read it here.